Bradford Pear (or Callery Pear)
Pyrus calleryana · Deciduous broadleaf hardwood
Plant Family
Rosaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental / Flowering / Street Tree
Variety / Cultivar
'Bradford' (known for its dense, upright, and symmetrical form when young, though prone to split apart as it matures due to narrow branch angles)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9, demonstrating excellent adaptability to a wide range of temperatures, urban pollution, and diverse soil types
About This Tree
A medium-sized deciduous tree with a dense, rounded to upright-oval crown at maturity. Known for heavy branching, profuse spring bloom, glossy green summer leaves, and small woody fruits that often persist into autumn. The branching pattern features many narrow, weak crotches.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves, broadly ovate to nearly round, 1.5 to 3 inches long, glossy dark green above and paler below, with finely serrated margins and smooth wavy textures, turning brilliant shades of red, purple, and orange in the autumn
Bark Characteristics
Grayish-brown to dark brown bark that is initially smooth on young branches, developing shallow vertical fissures, ridges, and scaly plates as the trunk and main limbs mature with age
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to China and Vietnam; widely planted as an ornamental street and landscape tree across North America and parts of Europe
Growing Season
Leafs out early in spring, produces abundant white flowers in mid-spring before leaves fully expand, develops small hard green-to-brown fruits through summer, displays vibrant fall foliage (red, purple, orange), and drops leaves entering winter dormancy
Sunlight & Water Needs
Thrives best in Full Sun for optimal flowering and branching; has moderate water needs when young but establishes good drought tolerance, adapting well to various urban soil conditions
Mature Size
Typically reaches 30 to 50 feet in height with a spread of 20 to 35 feet, featuring a moderate to fast growth rate and a lifespan of roughly 20 to 25 years due to structural weakness
Special Characteristics
Highly valued for its early spring white flower display and striking autumn foliage, but frequently considered invasive in many regions due to bird-dispersed seeds creating dense thickets; weak branch attachments make it prone to storm damage
Wildlife & Ecology
Provides early spring nectar for generalist pollinators and bees; produces small fruits consumed by various species of birds and small mammals, which subsequently spread the seeds across natural areas and disturbed habitats